How Microsoft treats its PC customers could become a hot issue next week in federal court. The states prosecuting the software giant are seeking to introduce new evidence showing that Microsoft is using the separate settlement with the Justice Department to exert more control over PC makers.
The states want to introduce 12 documents, including e-mails from Dell Computer, to support earlier allegations that Microsoft is using new uniform licensing rules to raise the price PC makers pay for Windows and to continue potential retaliatory behavior.
Nine states and the District of Columbia are pursuing stiffer sanctions against Microsoft than those found in the November settlement reached by the Justice Department and nine of 18 states. In theory, the uniform licensing provision would prevent the software giant from negotiating separate deals that could reward some manufacturers but punish others.
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